Massachusetts man pleads guilty in death of 10-year-old boy
The boy's mother in a victim impact statement said, "The joy of my life is gone."
GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend’s 10-year-old autistic and deaf son.
Christopher Vinsant, of Athol, had originally faced a murder charge in the July 2013 death of Isaiah Buckner, but under a deal with prosecutors, pleaded guilty Thursday to the lesser charge and was sentenced to up to 10 years of prison.
Prosecutors say the 32-year-old Vinsant was the boy’s primary caregiver the day he died of what were described as severe injuries to his abdomen and internal organs.
Vinsant said the boy fell earlier in the day, but authorities say Vinsant waited hours to get the boy help even though he was in “excruciating” pain.
The boy’s mother in a victim impact statement said “The joy of my life is gone.”
